A healthcare professional who was part of the community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is the third person to file for the Democratic primary for two seats on the Charlottesville City Council.
“I’ve worked with City Hall, County leaders, and institutions throughout the Charlottesville region to advance our shared goals,” wrote Jen Fleisher in an information release announcing her campaign. “I’m excited to bring those skills and partnerships to City Council.”
Today is the opening of the official nomination window for candidates to get on party ballots in Virginia. That’s handled by local political party committees unless a candidate is independent.
Fleisher dropped off her nominations today at the home of Josh Throneburg, the co-chair of Charlottesville Democrats. He was accepting paperwork through 5 p.m today for candidates.
“And after that, they will schedule a time and location with me, any time up until 5 pm on April 3rd,” Throneburg said in a response to a question.
Fleisher joins incumbents Brian Pinkston and Juandiego Wade as candidates who have already filed statements of organization with the Virginia Department of Elections. She works for the Blue Ridge Health District leading their Community Health Improvement Plan. During the pandemic, she lead mass vaccination programs including drive-through clinics and the BRHD’s mobile program.
In her work capacity, Fleisher is part of the Regional Transit Partnership, the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and the transportation work program of the Charlottesville Area Alliance.
“Safe, clean, reliable transportation is essential for the health of our City’s people and the planet, so it has to be a top priority for City Council, too,” Fleisher said.
The primary is on June 17 and will be the first to be conducted in Charlottesville used ranked-choice voting. I’ve already been contacted by a colleague about whether we should schedule a candidate forum. If we do, it will be after April 3 when the nomination process ends and before early voting begins.
Before you go: This story initially went out in the March 17, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement, a newsletter and occasional podcast that seeks to be as prolific as possible. That means covering as much as possible, working seven days a week, and written from an ethos that democracy requires a free press. You’re reading this work for free, perhaps, but about one in five of Substack subscribers pay. Consider that one day. It’s more important to me that the audience grows.
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